A New Hampshire delegation, including three World Affairs Council members, attended the USGLC Summit in June.

The USGLC State Leaders Summit, held in June in Washington D.C.,is a yearly gathering for foreign policy briefings and meetings with Members of Congress with the goal of shaping the future of American foreign policy to include America's civilian-led tools of diplomacy and development.This year, Council President Steve Solomon, Board Member George Bruno, and member Larry Welch were part of the state delegation at the Summit.

Ambassador Bruno and Ambassador Thomas Hull, a Council member, were also two of the163 former U.S. ambassadors who sent a letter to the U.S. House urging them to support full funding for the U.S. State Department's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.The letter is significant both for the historic number of signatures and the broad bipartisan support for educational and cultural exchanges it displays.

“We are former United States Ambassadors to countries across the globe. While we may differ in political ideology, we write today united with one voice to ask that the Senate and House Appropriations Committees support full funding in fiscal year 2018 for the Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. The unprecedented 55 percent cut called for in the Administration’s full budget would jeopardize our nation’s public diplomacy efforts,” wrote the ambassadors.

Now, more than ever, we need to stand up and speak out in support of the country's international diplomacy programs like the Council's own International Visitors Program! Thanks to everyone who took part in our most recent advocacy efforts!

We will be hosting another season of Global Tipping Points this fall with our series partner, UNH Manchester. The theme of the series will allow us to take a look at how widespread challenges are inspiring local innovations, from a variety of different perspectives.

The series kicks off on Tuesday, September 19 with Elmira Bayrasli,co-founder of Foreign Policy Interrupted and a lecturer at New York University. Shewill speak about how hardship and marginalization may prove to be even greater "mothers of invention" in the 21st century than First World social and economic privilege. She is the author of, From the Other Side of the World: Extraordinary Entrepreneurs, Unlikely Places, which will be on sale courtesy of Gibson's Bookstore. This event is part of "Welcoming Manchester" week, a part of the Welcoming America initiative.

The series continues on Tuesday, October 17 with Lisa Palmer, a journalist reportingon energy, climate change, the environment, and sustainable business. She has traveled the world documenting the cutting-edge innovations of the people on the front lines of fighting the food gap. She will share the story of the epic journey solve the imperfect relationship between two of our planet's greatest challenges: climate change and global hunger, as chronicled in her new book Hot, Hungry Planet,which will be on sale courtesy of Gibson's Bookstore.

We will finish the series on Monday, November 13 with Luis Jimenez, an expert on Latin American politics.Mexico provides more than 90 percent of America’s heroin. As an addiction epidemic ravages New Hampshire, communities across the border have also paid a price as violence soars. Professor Jimenez, Political Science Professor at the Univ. of Massachusetts, Boston, will discuss how U.S. policy in Latin America has impacted the drug trade and how both the US and Mexico can work together to combat the heroin epidemic.

All events will begin at 6 PM in the Multipurpose Room atUNH Manchester, (88 Commercial Street). Global Tipping Points events are free and open to the public, but advanced registration is requested.

Featuring Blenheim Palace - Discover the true character of England’s town and country life during this extraordinary small-group itinerary featuring the university towns of Oxford and Cambridge and the charming Cotswolds. Call on Blenheim Palace, birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill; visit “Downton Abbey." Anna Berry, Executive Director of the World Affairs Council of New Hampshire, will share her experiences living in London.

Board MembersHonored at Annual Meeting

This year's Annual Meeting & BBQ was held on June 12 at Southern New Hampshire University. This meeting is a time for us to reflect on the past year and to thank our board, members, and friends of the council for helping us meet our mission.

This year, the President's Award was given to Irja Cilluffo, a board member over the past 12 years, for her service and support. One of her many contributions has been through her love of photography - you may have seen her behind her camera at one of our events! We also recognized outgoing board members Peter Schmidt, Karen Erickson, and Gail Garceau.

WACNH says goodbye to former Executive Director

We regret to share the passing of David L. Larson, Executive Director Emeritus of the World Affairs Council of NH. David helped to found the Council at the University of New Hampshire, where he was a professor, and went on to serve as our ED from 1966 to his retirement in 2001.

Larson was a graduate of Dartmouth and The Fletcher School at Tufts University, and a Fulbright Program research scholar to Norway. Our thoughts are with his wife of 63 years, Lois, and his family. Click here to read more about David's life and achievements. We are forever grateful for his decades of service and leadership at the council.

You're Invited: WACA National Conference

"For nearly three decades, the WACA National Conference has brought World Affairs Council leaders and members to engage with top government officials, diplomats, business executives, innovators, journalists, educators, and students on the most pressing global issues and policy choices that impact our lives." - wacacoference2017.org

All Council Members are invited to attend this conference, to be held Thursday, November 16 & Friday, November 17 in Washington, D.C. Find out more information at the conference website and register today!

Keynote Speaker: Captain Florent Groberg, the first immigrant recognized with the Congressional Medal of Honor since the Vietnam War

MISSION MOMENTS

Thanks to Diane Foley and Amy Coyne of the James Foley Legacy Foundation for meeting with our international visitors from Cameroon last month to exchange ideas on journalism and freedom of the press! See who's coming next.

The Council was a proud partner in presenting Saudi activist Manal Al-Sharif's appearance at The Music Hall in June, with the NH Women's Foundation.

Community Events Calendar

Thursday, August 10 at 2 PM

WACA Cover to Cover call with James Kirchick:The End of Europe: Dictators, Demagogues, and the Coming Dark Age

P.S. All past Cover to Cover calls are now available as podcasts - Browse through and listen at your leisure!Saturday, August 19: 11 AM-7 PMWE ARE ONE African Caribbean and Latino Festival in ManchesterVeterans Park - 889 Elm Street Manchester, NH 03101

The largest ethnic cultural festival in New Hampshire, connecting neighbors through food, music, dance and culture.

Join the International Institute of New England to honor the contributions of refugees and immigrants through the timeless art of live storytelling.Presented as part of Welcoming Manchester Week! A week tobring together immigrants, refugees, and native-born residents to raise awareness of the benefits of welcoming everyone.

-----------------------------------------------World Affairs Council of New Hampshire